CONTRIBUTED PHOTO - ISU student Scott Starr recently put in 100 volunteer hours at the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown. He will return in late August when school resumes to put in about 120 more hours. He’s pictured with Morty, a dog Starr said is a lovable canine available for adoption.

Making the lives of animals a little better and brighter are the goals of ISU student Scott Starr, who recently put in 100 volunteer hours at the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown. He will return in late August when school resumes to put in about 120 more hours.

Starr participates in the ARL’s volunteer program, organized by Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Slifer.

“Scott is awesome — to find a guy who is willing to drive from Ames to Marshalltown 2-3 times a week — is great,” Slifer said. “The animals love him. He helps us move animals into the adoption room, which entails baths, treatments, vaccinations, photographing them, etc.”

Starr, who is attending ISU for animal science, began volunteering in February 2019.

“I like the fact that I’m helping animals find homes that may not have found them,” he said.

A native of Council Bluffs, Starr just completed his sophomore year. He wants to eventually attend veterinarian school.

“I like the science behind it and the level of difficulty,” he said. “What I want to do eventually is have my own vet clinic and then have a shelter attached to it where I could provide discounted medical care to other animals, or people who couldn’t afford it (for their pets). I just like helping animals get back to their full potential.”

While volunteering is not required for the degree, Starr has hung around vet clinics since childhood. He works as a community service officer at ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and is a former kennel worker and vet tech at Glenwood Veterinary Clinic and Animal Clinic of Council Bluffs.

No matter the skill level, there are tasks in which volunteers can be of assistance. Volunteers are needed to socialize and play with the animals, walk dogs, do grooming, clean and photograph the critters available for adoption. There is no minimum amount of time a person must commit to for volunteering. Students are welcome.

Slifer said 16- and 17-year-olds can volunteer on their own, while 14- and 15-year-olds must fill out a Child Labor permit. Those under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

“With summer coming up, I’m needing to recruit more volunteers. The ideal is to have more people help with the dogs when people come to visit and want to walk them,” she said.

For more information, Slifer may be reached at 641-753-9046 and volcoord@arlmarshalltown.com.